Layla - 23 weeks

We had our 23 week appointment today. It was a quick viability ultrasound and a meeting with the specialist. It's always great to see the images of Layla wiggling around. We always get to see 3D images, which is cool, too. Saw one really good picture of her face & tiny lips, nose, & eyes. So, the ultrasound is the fun part...

...then we meet with the Dr. He showed us an image of Layla. You can see the fluid around her head that is building up because of the compression of her chest cavity. Bryan asked if it has stayed the same or if there's more or less. He replied, "It is significantly more" fluid than our last apt, three weeks ago. The excess fluid is even causing the shape of her head/bone to change. He heart is beating strong at 150 and is filling her chest cavity. Which, as I've explained, does not allow for room for her lungs.

I asked if they could give any measurements & because of the swelling, the head & abdomen circumference is not accurate. As fas as measuring her femur, the ultrasound does not even recognize it as a bone. There is not enough calcification (I think that's the right word) to show that it is a limb.

So, we have another ultrasound and meeting with the Dr. in three weeks - I'll be 26 weeks. That same day, we will have a meeting with a Neonatal Dr. from the NICU to discuss a 'care plan' for Layla. Bryan asked if there was any way to tell when we'll have her. The Dr. said that the increase in fluid is reason to believe the I will not be able to carry her to term. We also discussed having a c-section vs. vaginal birth. A VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) is the best option, for my health.

Prayers Requests:

-Pray that I can carry Layla past 26 weeks, and as long as possible.
-Pray that when I do have Layla, it can be vaginally and not a c-section.
-Pray for me & Bryan. The we can start preparing, planning & thinking about how to handle the situation after Layla is born.
-Pray for understanding God's timing. God is the only One who really knows when & how anything will happen.
-Pray for Layla's lungs to develop.
-Pray for the swelling/fluid around Layla's head to decrease!

Thank you all for your support & prayers. We're so blessed to have such awesome family & friends surrounding us.

Nancy